When you first step into a Dungeons & Dragons game, the table can feel like a whirlwind—dice flying, spells casting, and someone behind the screen spinning the story. But at its core, the game thrives on two roles: the Player and the Dungeon Master (DM).
Understanding the difference between them is the first step toward being part of a great session.
The Role of the Player
As a player, your job is simple in theory, but rich in responsibility: you play a single character in the story. You make their decisions, roll their dice, and help shape the tale through their actions.
What Players Do:
- Create a character with stats, backstory, and class.
- Make decisions for that character based on their personality and goals.
- Engage with the world through exploration, dialogue, and combat.
- Roll dice for skill checks, attacks, and saves.
- Collaborate with the party to overcome obstacles and tell a cohesive story.
Good players don’t just play to win—they play to contribute. A strong party shares the spotlight, leans into character flaws, and helps push the story forward.
The Role of the Dungeon Master
The DM, on the other hand, isn’t playing a single character. They’re running everything else.
The Dungeon Master is the narrator, referee, world-builder, and rules interpreter. They describe the world, control the non-player characters (NPCs), manage combat, and respond to player actions.
What the DM Does:
- Build or run the adventure (homebrew or published).
- Describe the world and present challenges.
- Play every NPC the players meet.
- Run combat and handle initiative, monster stats, and effects.
- Adjudicate rules when confusion or conflict arises.
- Encourage roleplay and decisions, not just dice-rolling.
Being a Dungeon Master isn’t about control—it’s about guiding the table while giving players the freedom to shape their story.
It’s a Partnership, Not a Competition
D&D isn’t a board game where one person wins. The goal is shared storytelling. Players and the DM work together to make something fun, memorable, and meaningful.
- The DM creates the world, but the players bring it to life.
- The players create the characters, but the DM gives them challenges that shape them.
- Everyone builds the narrative—no one plays against each other (unless that’s part of the plan).
If you understand that, you’re already halfway to a great session.
Related Reading
- Session Zero: Setting Player Expectations – Before your first game, talk through your table’s roles and tone
- First Character Builds Guide – If you’re a new player, start here
- The Kegslayer’s Official DM Survival Kit – A solid intro for first-time Dungeon Masters
Final Thoughts
The roles of player and Dungeon Master may look different, but they both carry the same weight: make the game better for everyone at the table.
So, whether you’re stepping into your first character sheet or sitting behind the screen, know your role, respect the others, and focus on the reason we play this game in the first place—to tell a great story, together.
— Mike “Silver-Tongue”
